The majority of dentists claim that dental amalgams are not only safe for use but desirable, since they are cheap, easy to use, fairly durable and strong, can be quickly inserted into the oral cavity and that any release of mercury vapor is too negligible to be an issue. Opponents, however, argue that repetitive exposure to a very small amount of mercury can be cumulative, so amalgams can cause many diseases, and that there are many alternative filling materials which can easily be used instead of amalgam.
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Some countries, such as Japan, Norway, and Sweden, have banned or stringently regulated the use of mercury in dental amalgams, citing health concerns. The Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate (KemI) maintains a web site containing a report on the investigation for a general ban on mercury on which it states, "KemI judges that there are strong grounds for banning amalgam for environmental reasons. From a health point of view there is every reason to apply a precautionary approach."[13] Some countries, notably Austria and Germany, have some restrictions on dental amalgam, such as permitting its use for the general population, but not for children, pregnant women, people with kidney problems, when in contact with other metals, such as braces, and in people with mercury sensitivity.
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However, the Food and Drug Administration maintains a web page on the use of amalgam on which it states, "no valid scientific evidence has shown that amalgams cause harm to patients with dental restorations, except in the rare case of allergy."[15]. In September 2006, a joint meeting of three FDA committees will review and discuss peer-reviewed scientific literature on dental amalgam devices.
